Each year is a different story for the Red Sox, but the club typically meets its biggest needs in November and December, writes Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. However, since the current ownership group took over a decade ago, they have made some key additions in January and February, including their pickup of David Ortiz off of waivers in early 2003.

The Red Sox were amongseveral suitors for Carlos Beltran who dangled the designated hitter spot as a way to prolong his career, but the veteran wanted to continue to play in the outfield, writes Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Blue Jays, and Indians were also among the American League teams in the mix for Beltran.

Agent Scott Boras, who negotiated Daisuke Matsuzaka's six-year, $52MM deal in 2006, is no fan of the Japanese posting system, Silverman writes. Boras says that the actual talks with Boston weren't unpleasant, but he would have preferred to see his client choose between other cities that might have fit him better.

Edwin Jackson might be the next mentioned in the same breath as Ollie baby as well.. they are both the same non talent.. no control, no success and Boras hyping a non existent “stuff” and imaginary success to show Jackson should get even more than ollie did even.

When all 3’s career is over, Matsuzaka’s ’07-08 might have been the best performance wise of any those 3 by a country mile.

In a way? yes.. they both have poor control and have benefited from pitchers parks as a home stadium to throw half of their games in, but Gonzalez has made the best of it.

IMO? Gonzalez would have been a poor fit at fenway. lefty, poor control, no matter how well he was able to work himself out of bad situations previously.

Having a different change of avenue, with a stadium that lends itself to leading (or close) to extra base hits nearly every season with a lefty like this was not a good gamble with the cost as high as it seems to have been.

Have mentioned this many times here.. Lefties (SP) with success have been few and far between at Fenway. Bill lee, Bruce Hurst and Lester, none of which had control problems while many have been moved on (LH) who had good success like Ojeda, Tudor etc..

Ryan Theriot and Baltimore. Great fit till ROberts is back and can play ss on days off. Great clubhouse guy and good off the bench. Loved him when he played for the Cubs, would be an asset off the bench in my opinion.

Why do guys like Goold continue to insist the Red Sox are “in” on an expensive free agent outfielder, like Beltran? At best, we made some due diligence calls. We are at or near the luxury tax line (and loathe to go way over it), we had the best offense in the MLB last season utilizing guys who make less than $500K in right field, we have two decent prospects (Reddick/Kalish) from our farm system (plus a journeyman in McDonald) cheaply to play right and our stated focus (as well as obvious need) is for pitching. We weren’t “IN” on Beltran, or Cuddyer, or anyone else who plays outfield and makes/would make more than $2MM per season. Even if sources are saying this, its time to employ common sense and say, “really?”

If Boston can somehow get Ross on a 2 8-10m deal as a 4th OF and backup to Reddick/kalish in RF that is a better proposition and expenditure of salary over the 2/26m Beltran just got and Ross can play every OF position.

Would be interesting to see how well he could hit in a decent offensive stadium for a change also and nobody ever questioned his intensity. In that regard he has always been top quality.

Hey….what made you change your tune about “Sir” Cody Ross?
As for me, you know it’s either been Aoki or Ross. Although all the bloggers who responded to me were totally against him (Ross).

The Oriole should consider picking up Ross and trading Reimold for Chone Figgins, but only if the Mariners are going to pick up the majority of his salary as was rumored on here a month back.

That trade would be fair for both teams. Reimold gets a chance and a change of scenery and Figgins might be able to fill the possible void at second base. I love Andino, but some competition would be good for business!

I have watched Ross an awful lot over his career, much like Hammer Willingham with time as a marlin as am a huge marlin fan as well as Boston and try to watch both teams games :-)

Don’t think any chance Crisp price will drop enough for the salary Boston is going to spend. This off season they seem to be going ultra cheap since ortiz accepted arbitration and Ross is the only “universal” player left now I see who can play all OF positions, play them well and would be upper level performer as a 4th OF, not to mention would not hurt them if pressed into a starting RF in the event both Kalish and Reddick failed next season.

Ross would be a nice pickup for any team though and in memorial stadium as well, where the ball carries well think he could put up some good power numbers. He really is an energetic figure and was a leader with the Fish on those teams and one of the people who kind of kept Ramirez (hanley) in check when he had issues.

Ross would be a nice pickup for any team though and in memorial stadium (OPACY)! as well, where the ball carries well think he could put up some good power numbers. He really is an energetic figure and was a leader with the Fish on those teams and one of the people who kind of kept Ramirez (hanley) in check when he had issues.
It’s funny you mention Hanley Ramirez, he’s a player I have tremendous interest in acquiring! I know all about the drama that he’s caused, but I think eventually he will mature, but he needs a change of scenery to do so. Since he did really well under the watchful eye of Jim Presley during his time as Marlins hitting coach, I think he would do well in Baltimore! If Cody Ross can jump aboard as well even better.

If the Orioles want to jump in the standings, they are going to have to beat the Red Sox during this offseason. Red Sox have been mentioned with all the players I have interest in during this offseason with either Free agency or trade.